[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37930-37931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17950]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comments; Pilot Approval and 
Aircraft Contract Forms

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service announces its intention to request a reinstatement, 
without change, of a previously approved collection for the 
administration of aviation contracts. The information helps the Forest 
Service ensure that pilots and aircraft offered for use by contractors 
meet the special Forest Service aviation mission parameters. 
Respondents will include individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 13, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Director, Fire and 
Aviation Management Staff, Mail Stop 1107, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. 
Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090 or submitted by FAX to (202) 205-
1272 or by email to: fam/[email protected].
    The public may inspect comments at the office of the Director, Fire 
and Aviation Staff, 201 14th Street, SW, Washington, DC. Visitors are 
encouraged to call (202) 205-1483 to facilitate entrance into the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Dudley, Aviation Management 
Specialist, at (202) 205-0995.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The forms described in this request for reinstatement of this 
previously approved information collection, are used by the agency to 
issue and administer aviation contracts. The Forest Service is the 
largest owner and operator of aircraft in the Federal government 
outside of the Department of Defense. The majority of Forest Service 
flying is in support of wildland fire suppression. The Forest Service 
contracts with approximately 400 pilot and aircraft vendors to provide 
aviation services for National Forest System land protection and 
administrative projects. The aircraft and pilots average 63,000 flying 
hours each year.
    Contracts for these services establish rigorous qualification 
requirements for pilots and specific condition, equipment, and 
performance requirements for aircraft. These requirements are necessary 
in order for the Forest Service to maintain an acceptable level of 
safety, mission preparedness, and cost effectiveness in aviation 
operations. This is particularly true in fire suppression missions, 
which are conducted under adverse conditions of weather, terrain, 
turbulence, smoke reduced visibility, minimally improved landing areas, 
and congested airspace around wildfires.
    The data from this information collection will be used to document 
the basis for the Forest Service to approve or deny contracts for 
pilots and aircraft. The completed forms are maintained in Forest 
Service Regional Headquarters with the Regional Aviation Officers and 
aircraft inspectors. Information on these forms form the basis for the 
agency to approve or deny contract agreements with pilots or for 
aircraft. If the pilots or aircraft meet the agency's requirements, 
approval cards are issued to each contract pilot and for each contract 
aircraft. Forest Service personnel verify possession of properly 
approved cards before utilizing the services of these pilots and 
aircraft. Without the information supplied on these forms, Forest 
Service contracting officers, pilot, and aircraft inspectors cannot 
determine if pilots and aircraft meet the detailed qualification, 
equipment, and condition requirements essential for safe, efficient 
accomplishment of Forest service specified flying missions.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be 
reinstated:
    Title: FS-5700-20, Airplane Pilot Qualifications and Approval 
Record.
    OMB Number: 0596-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by 
authorized Forest Service pilot and aircraft inspectors to ensure that 
pilots meet contract specifications for qualifications, such as hours 
flown in a particular model of fixed-wing aircraft. Forest Service 
personnel collect information that includes the pilot's medical 
certificate number, airman certificate number, and hours flown in a 
specific type of aircraft, including Pilot In Command hours.
    Estimate of Burden: .25 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 570.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 143 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be 
reinstated:
    Title: FS-5700-20a, Helicopter Pilot Qualifications and Approval 
Record.
    OMB Number: 0596-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by 
authorized Forest Service pilot and aircraft inspectors to ensure that 
pilots meet contract specifications for qualifications for hours flown 
in a particular helicopter type. Forest Service personnel collect 
information that includes the pilot's medical certificate number, 
airman certificate number, and hours flown in a specific type of 
helicopter, including Pilot In Command hours.
    Estimate of Burden: .25 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 418.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 105 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be 
reinstated:
    Title: FS-5700-21, Airplane Data Record.
    OMB Number: 0596-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by 
authorized Forest Service pilot and aircraft inspectors to ensure that 
fixed-wing aircraft meet contract specifications for equipment and 
condition requirements. Information to be collected includes the 
aircraft's airworthiness and registration

[[Page 37931]]

certificate numbers, maintenance records, and inspection records.
    Estimate of Burden: 2.1 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 536.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,142 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be 
reinstated:
    Title: FS-5700-21a, Helicopter Data Record.
    OMB Number: 0596-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by 
authorized Forest Service pilot and aircraft inspectors to ensure that 
helicopter aircraft meet contract specifications for equipment and 
condition requirements. Information to be collected includes the 
aircraft's airworthiness and registration certificate numbers, 
maintenance records, and inspection records.
    Estimate of Burden: 3.7 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 279.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,052 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes 
and the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (b) 
the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Use of Comment

    All comments, including name and address when provided, will become 
a matter of public record. Comments received in response to this notice 
will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management 
and Budget approval.

    Dated: July 7, 1999.
Larry Payne,
Acting Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 99-17950 Filed 7-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P